The Last Judgment 1615 - 1625

Michael Herr created this drawing, titled "The Last Judgement," in the 17th century using pen and brown ink, with brown wash over traces of graphite on paper. The immediacy of drawing lends itself to explorations of composition, like this one. Herr used these relatively humble materials to create a scene of incredible complexity. The lightness and linear nature of the drawing allows him to build up layers of detail, from the figures being cast into hell to the angels in the sky. If he were carving this in stone, or rendering it in paint, the labor involved would have been far more considerable. The sketch-like quality is part of its appeal. Herr could freely explore his ideas, unburdened by the expectation of finish. The frenetic energy of the scene seems to flow directly from the pen. It's a reminder that sometimes the most powerful works of art are those that capture the artist's initial vision, unedited and raw.